James Whitcomb Riley Letter Fragment on Thanksgiving Poem

As to the Thanksgiving poem you desire - you have come to a goat's house for wool, - as I haven't got such a poem to my back! - nor any way of "growing" one either. But I've just finished something encroaching on the spirit of the other contribution named, -not exactly "A Country Funeral," but a country Decoration Day: Also it will illustrate well, so I venture to submit it, charging you, however, to act promptly as to its disposal in whatever way most fully pleases you. Should you retain it, send early proof as possible. Am par=tic=u=lar about our dialect; - what I employ is strictly from the life, and must reverentially go thus into type or not at all. Unkempt MS, but best can do now. Glad to hear of your prospective European trip. am goin' myself soon. May meet you there [unreadable]. When do you sail? Got personal poem from Kipling, over new Child=book. - Fine, strong - tender and smart, too, as only a master could touch the cooey, dewy, blessed, blossoming, dreamy theme of - The Children Hastily but heartily yours - JW Riley

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As to the Thanksgiving poem you desire - you have come to a goat's house for wool, - as I haven't got such a poem to my back! - nor any way of "growing" one either. But I've just finished something encroaching on the spirit of the other contribution named, -not exactly "A Country Funeral," but a country Decoration Day: Also it will illustrate well, so I venture to submit it, charging you, however, to act promptly as to its disposal in whatever way most fully pleases you. Should you retain it, send early proof as possible. Am par=tic=u=lar about our dialect; - what I employ is strictly from the life, and must reverentially go thus into type or not at all. Unkempt MS, but best can do now. Glad to hear of your prospective European trip. am goin' myself soon. May meet you there [unreadable]. When do you sail? Got personal poem from Kipling, over new Child=book. - Fine, strong - tender and smart, too, as only a master could touch the cooey, dewy, blessed, blossoming, dreamy theme of - The Children Hastily but heartily yours - JW Riley